Obituary
Linda Jean Barb, age 74, passed away May 5, 2021, at the AdventHealth Hospice, Orlando, Florida.
Born February 4, 1947, in Cumberland, Maryland, the daughter of Helen Rankins Rawlings and Thomas Barb. Linda was devoted to her friends and loved ones and is survived by Irma and Bud Grimm of State College, PA; Pam and Mario Roman of Surprise, AZ; Mario A. and Michael Roman of Surprise, AZ; Rick and Samantha Byrd of Titusville, FL; Minnette and Reagan Smith of Fort Myers, FL; Madison Smith of Apopka, FL; Karen Lane of Altamonte Springs, FL; Deb Jones of Apopka, FL; Antke Zimmermann of Tampa, FL; and Kimberly, Daniel and Caiden Kramer of Cumberland, MD.
Linda joined The Institute of Internal Auditors January 3, 1989 and retired July 3, 2020 as Accounts Payable Lead. Linda’s former boss says that when meeting Linda for the first time, you came away with the impression that this was a “tough as nails no nonsense lady,” but as you grew to know her you realized not to judge a book by its cover because underneath that tough exterior was a heart of gold. What came across as toughness was just her belief in treating all people equally, and as her boss you had to be on your toes when you approached her on an issue because if you were wrong about your perception of the issue, she had no qualms about informing you of your mistake. Some may have initially taken offense with this until they realized that Linda was just doing her best to ensure that everybody was always provided the best information possible when making decisions. Due to Linda’s amazing memory and her experience of 30+ years at the IIA, he said we called Linda the “Archive of Knowledge” and always wondered how we would survive without her. He emphasized that he missed Linda when she retired from the IIA, and with her passing he misses her even more. He said he misses sitting close by her work area, observing others meeting her for the first time and smiling to himself as they walked away knowing they would have the same impression and experience as everyone else as they got to know her: a “tough as nails” lady with a “heart of gold.”
Linda had an amazing love for animals, and she is probably taking care of Heaven’s animals right now. Linda had such a huge heart full of love for everyone but especially those closest to her. She worked so hard all of her life, and it saddens us that she did not have the opportunity to enjoy her retirement. Linda, you are loved beyond measure, and your memory will always be with us.
Her loved ones will host a Celebration of Life at a later date.
Love,
Minnette